Prometheus

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale had heard a rumor, about a book. At a shop other than his, which was rather vexxing. So he made inquiries about the location, and appeared there the next day after putting out the "closed indefinitely" sign on his own shop. (The sign had two sides; the other said "open temporarily.")

He walked in, hearing a little bell chime, and looked around. "Hello?"

Comments

[pecked_by_birds]

It took a moment, but Prometheus eventually strolled out of the back room. ...One of the back rooms, anyway. He had a book in his hands and his were glasses halfway down his nose as he skimmed the pages.

While he intended to be attentive, the titan didn't glance up from what he was reading right away.

"Yes?" he asked, finally closing the book and removing the glasses before they could slip off entirely.

[theangelfell]

That was a familiar stance, and it made Aziraphale immediately warm to him. Still, he was all business when he said, "I understand that you've recently come into possession of a rare printing of a Tyndale's New Testament."

He also realized immediately that the man wasn't entirely human, though he couldn't pinpoint what. Not that it necessarily mattered.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus had the angel pegged as such the moment he was near enough to tell. Their God's light had a certain glimmer to it. Not his taste, and not his problem, but he'd never had issues with the angels themselves.

"Ah," the titan said, nodding once and placing his things on the counter, before moving to a large, locked case. Inside were books and trinkets, and he ran his finger along the spines until he reached the right one. He pulled it out with care, then handed it over.

"It came in an estate lot I picked up. It wasn't the reason I bought the lot, but I had a feeling someone would be searching for it," he explained- Before realizing that wasn't a good explanation. "Foresight is my gift. ...My name's Prometheus," he added, extending his hand.

[theangelfell]

"Oh..." Aziraphale said happily as he took the book, carefully ran a finger over the binding. Then he looked up at him. "The titan?" he said curiously. He transferred the bible to his left hand, and shook with his right. "I'm Aziraphale." No need to be coy, it seemed.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus nodded as he shook the angel's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Aziraphale," he said, before letting go. "I don't get many angels in the shop. Ghosts, but no angels."

[theangelfell]

"Ghosts don't like hanging around me," Aziraphale said. "So you're free of them for now." He patted the book fondly. "What can I give you in exchange for this?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"What do you think would be fair?" the titan asked. He didn't really need money, didn't do this for money. However, he was always interested in seeing what other people thought the things they desired were worth.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale also didn't care about money.

"I own a bookshop," he said. "Perhaps a trade, you can have whatever book you like that isn't from my collection of rare bibles."

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus seemed thoughtful, then tilted his head. "For now consider it yours. Should I be looking for something in the future, I will seek you out."

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale nodded. He felt fine about the exchange; it wasn't too open ended, and the bibles were more important to him than any of the other books at the shop. "Thank you, friend," he said. "That was quite a premonition."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Mmm, it's nice when they are void of death and misery," he admitted. "I do wonder though, why an angel collects Bibles. I've never known an angel to collect anything."

[theangelfell]

"I actually specifically correct misprints," Aziraphale said. "I'm not sure why, I suppose I find it a charming sort of irony, considering how many mistakes they make in the word of God in general."

[pecked_by_birds]

"A god," the titan corrected absently, studying the other being curiously. "Not a collection then, more a hobby?"

[theangelfell]

"Something like that," said Aziiraphale with a smile. "A longtime hobby." He didn't mind the correction. He still thought there was God and then gods, but he was an angel, not an evangelical.

"It's nice to meet you," he added. "I wasn't aware there was another, ah... elderly individual selling antiquities in the city." He smiled.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Quite a few, I've found. Gods, titans, pucks, vampires, and fae- Angels too, it seems. London seems to be a hub for our sort," Prometheus smiled.

[theangelfell]

"Ah, yes," Aziraphale said fondly. "But I don't think I've seen any others that sell books. It is quite a melting pot though, isn't it?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Books aren't really my specialty anymore," Prometheus admitted. And it was true, there were a lot of books in his shop, but this place wasn't like his shop in New York. There books had been the focus, here, it seemed, he was more focused on trinkets. Objects of power, for the most part. ...And art. There was a surprising amount of art.

"It is quite a mix of beings though, I agree. I think it's one of the reasons I stay."

Though the main reason was, of course, Robin. Whenever the titan lingered anywhere, it was usually because that's where the puck was.

[theangelfell]

"I love... love London," Aziraphale said. "It feels like home. It's hard to say why." Though, he realized, as sentimental as it was, anywhere with Crowley would feel like home. Which meant that would never be Above.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus nodded in understanding.

Just then the kettle began to whistle.

"Tea?" he offered.

[theangelfell]

"Brilliant," said Aziraphale. "Yes, please." Then, thinking small talk appropriate, added, "Have you lived here in London for a long time?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Off and on forever, it feels like," Prometheus nodded. "Other cities call to me, I spent a good amount of time in New York, but London, and what came before it, has called to me often."

[theangelfell]

"Ah yes, what came before it was also interesting," Aziraphale agreed. "Do you mind if I sit, friend? Though are you certain I'm not imposing?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Of course, make yourself comfortable. ...And no, you're not imposing," he assured him, filling the teapot and putting a tray together. "I was just digging around in the back rooms."

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale sat in a chair and carefully crossed his legs. "Looking for something?" he asked.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I'm not sure," The titan admitted, bringing the tray over and putting it on a small table between two chairs. "I feel like I have something that I might need, but I'm not sure what it is or what I need it for."

It was hard to put into words the feelings he sometimes had. These nagging thoughts that wouldn't let him be, and were too abstract to use like any sort of map.